Local learning to help save lives

NHS Western Isles has trained over 120 people from all sectors of our local communities and workplaces in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in the last 12 months.

Elaine Mackay, NHS Western Isles Strategic Planning and Development Officer, and Marion Matheson, NHS Western Isles Health Improvement Practitioner, have undertaken the programme of suicide prevention ASIST, which has been held within the Western Isles since 2005.

With over 2000 people locally trained through  NHS Western Isles, ASIST is designed to look at the idea of suicide first aid, on helping a person at risk stay safe and seek further help and looks to train people to recognise invitations for help, reach out and offer support.  The training also helps individuals review the risk of suicide, apply a suicide intervention model, and link people with community resources.

Colum Durkan, NHS Western Isles Director of Public Health, said: “Feedback has shown that the ASIST workshop increases caregivers’ knowledge and confidence to respond to a person at risk of suicide, and that these are put to use to save lives across the Western Isles.”

Feedback from recent course participants include:

“The model we are taught has given me the confidence to know that I can support someone who is suicidal whereas, before attending I felt I needed to be more specialist to be able to.  I now know I just need to start the conversation!"

“Before the course I would have said I felt 2/10 in my confidence to support people – now I’m a 10/10 and know I could easily have the conversation and make that safe plan." 

ASIST training is free of charge, offered throughout the Western Isles, and is held over two consecutive dates.

For further information on ASIST and future training dates, please contact Elaine Mackay, Strategic Planning and Development Officer, by emailing: elaine.mackay3@nhs.scot